J.I.P. P.S.A.: Passing Stopped Cars

I wouldn't bother commenting on this tragedy, except for the fact that it is such an easy mistake to make in Pattaya, where there are always vehicles double parked, or standing alongside the road. I've come close to making this mistake twice on my motorcycle, and I've learned my lesson.

Always keep this in mind: If you are a pedestrian crossing the street and somebody is nice enough to stop and let you cross, don't for a minute think that means that other people are going to stop for you as well, or can see or understand why the truck or car in front of them stopped, and why they shouldn't just go rocketing past.

Most importantly from my own experience: If you are a driver and you see a vehicle stopped in the road, don't assume that it is just parked or standing there, as there might be a reason other than parking for that truck or car to be stopped that you can't see, which makes it unsafe to pass.

I know it seems like common sense, but with the crowded roads, and the multitude of trucks and cars doing all manner of negligent parking or blocking of the road here in Pattaya, it can become very easy to confuse parked cars, or turning cars (no turn signals, natch), or cars waiting for traffic in the other direction to move — which makes it on some occasions safe to pass — with cars that you should not pass.

If you never pass stopped or standing cars in Pattaya, of course you would never get anywhere, but be careful when you do.